If you’ve ever admired the timeless, ladylike shape of a Kelly but wanted a British, price-accessible way into that silhouette, let me introduce you to Lalage Beaumont.
I’ve had my eye on this brand for a while, and even featured them in my British bag brands roundup and my quiet luxury piece. Yet every time I mention them, someone in my comments says some version of “wait, I need this.” So this time, I wanted to go deeper — the full story, the design details, and an inside look as to whether or not these gorgeous bags live up to the hype.
I tested the Maya Midi in Orinoco croc print, in the most gorgeous topaz shade, and the Maya Large in soft Caribou leather. Two sizes, two finishes, and both of them completely won me over.
This is my full review covering first impressions, design details, what fits inside, and the pros and cons of both sizes of each bag. Let’s get into it.
About Lalage Beaumont
Lalage Beaumont isn’t a startup chasing a trend. The founder, Lalage Beaumont herself, has been in British fashion for decades, working at luxury heritage houses like Aquascutum and Burberry before landing at Mulberry, where she worked on accessories.
In 2004, she took the leap and launched her own label with ready-to-wear designs, but didn’t introduce handbags until 2015! This is a brand built by someone who spent years learning what actually makes a bag good before designing her own.
Her design language pulls from the 1960s, the era of structured top-handle ladylike bags that made silhouettes like the Kelly iconic. So when people notice the resemblance, it’s not that Lalage set out to recreate a Kelly, it’s that both drew inspiration from the same well of mid-century design principles: symmetry, precision, and a boxy structured shape.
Every Lalage Beaumont piece is handcrafted in Italy and Spain from full-grain calf leather, finished with gold-plated hardware. Price points for this brand and the bags mentioned in this article fall between $1,159 and $1,400 depending on size and leather, which puts Lalage Beaumont solidly in accessible-investment territory.
Style #1: The Maya Midi in Orinoco Croc
For years, I had been completely enamored with the Maya midi silhouette. It exudes a type of quiet confidence that makes you feel like you’re in the know.
For my first selection, I chose the Maya Midi Orinoco croc-effect leather in a stunning topaz color. This is Lalage Beaumont’s signature, best-known silhouette, so naturally, it felt like the right place to start.
Price: $1,299
Best For: Anyone who wants a polished, structured bag with a little more presence than a micro, without stepping into “large tote” territory.
First Impressions
From the moment I unboxed this bag, I was completely blown away. As a notorious collector of handbags (bagaholic, if you will), I can identify a high quality bag within seconds. The Maya Midi surpassed my expectations in every possible way.
The croc print on this bag is absolutely gorgeous, with a beautiful, glossy effect that makes it look like you just unboxed it yesterday. When I think about how many times I wore this bag on my recent trip to Spain, I still can’t believe it looks as new as it does when I first took it out of the dust bag.
What I love about the topaz color in particular, is that it surprisingly goes with most things in my wardrobe. When I had originally opted for this color, I thought I’d only be able to wear it on occasion with neutrals and light colors. I was pleasantly surprised when I was able to wear it with a coral dress—and it looked immaculate!
Another thing I appreciate is that the hardware throughout is gold-plated, and the interior is lined in contrasting calf suede with real pockets.
What Fits Inside
One thing I will note is that the Maya Midi was a bit smaller in person than I had expected. However, it’s the perfect going out bag, as it’s only able to hold the essentials!
My advice: If you’re planning on purchasing the Maya Midi, opt for one of Lalage Beaumont’s fun colors or prints (there are so many to choose from). Since the size leans smaller, you’ll likely reach for it less often than an everyday bag, which means you can afford to have a little more fun with the color rather than playing it safe with a neutral. That way, on the occasions you do pull it out, you’ve got a true statement piece on your arm.
The Maya Midi comfortably fits my sunglasses, small wallet, MagSafe charger, AirPods, a small comb, moisturizer, and my keys, without forcing the structure out of shape. Although on the smaller side, I was pleasantly surprised by how much it holds while still keeping its boxy silhouette.
I also love that there’s an internal pocket within the suede lining, perfect for grabbing quick items like lip gloss, eyebrow spoolies, or credit cards/cash.
Design, Functionality & Features
This is where the Maya bag really earns its reputation. The bag closes with a central buckle-style flap secured by two side straps, each fastened with its own magnetic-lock button.
I’ll be fully honest: closing this bag is a two-handed job. You have to tuck the buckle flap in, push it down, then pull each side strap individually and click it into its button placement. It’s not a bag you can close one-handed on the go, and I’d recommend having it on a flat surface rather than trying to do it mid-stride.
Opening it, on the other hand, is easy: unbutton the two side straps, lift the buckle, and the flap opens right up.
Here’s the thing though—this can be both a pro and a con, depending on how you look at it. Yes, it’s a little fussy. But it also means no one is getting into your bag without you noticing, which is such an underrated feature. And aesthetically, the straps-and-buckle detail is what gives this bag its whole luxurious look. It’s the reason it looks much more expensive than it is.
Every Lalage Beaumont bag comes with a detachable cross-body strap, so you can switch up how you wear it depending on your mood!
Pros & Cons of the Maya Midi
What I love:
- The croc print and topaz colorway are absolutely stunning in person
- Holds the essentials comfortably while keeping its structured shape
- The strap-and-buckle closure looks incredibly luxurious
- The closure mechanism means your bag is secure so there’s no easy access for anyone but you
Worth knowing before you buy:
- Closing the bag requires two hands and a flat surface. It’s not a quick, one-handed close
- If you’re used to a simple zip or single clasp, there’s a learning curve here
Style #2: The Maya Large in Caribou Leather
Next up, we have the Maya Large Caribou leather, in a beautiful Taupe color. This bag’s soft, pebbled finish has become one of my favorite materials in my whole bag collection.
When I tell you this particular bag and color way have been on my wishlist since 2020, I’m not exaggerating. This bag feels like a dream I manifested into existence.
Price: $1,399
Best for: Anyone who wants the Maya silhouette with more room to spare, in a leather finish built to hold up beautifully over time.
First Impressions
One of the first things I noticed upon unboxing the Maya Large bag, was the quality of the leather. The Caribou leather is soft to the touch but doesn’t feel delicate at all. I own a few soft grain leather bags, and can confidently say that Lalage Beaumont’s Italian calf leather is elite.
The soft grain leather is flexible without feeling stiff, and it’s also scratch-resistant, which matters so much to me in a bag I plan on using constantly. The Maya Large bag screams quiet luxury and elegance. It looks like it should be way more expensive than it actually is, which is exactly what I want from an investment bag.
Now, the Maya Large bag also comes in a few different leather options. My favorite is the Caribou leather, for it’s soft-to-the-feel touch, but you can also opt for Dolomite, which uses pebble print leather, or Orinoco, which resembles ‘croc print’ Italian leather.
What Fits Inside
Given the size step-up from the Midi, this is the bag I’d reach for on days I need more than the essentials, so think a full-sized wallet, makeup pouch, hairbrush, sunglasses + case, MagSafe charger, AirPods, a small notebook, my magnetic phone mount, a granola bar, hand cream, keys, and my phone, with a bit of room to spare.
Similar to the Maya Midi, I also love that there’s an internal pocket within the suede lining, which is perfect for grabbing quick, small items.
*Pictured below: just some of the everyday items I throw into my Maya Large bag!
Design, Functionality & Features
The Maya Large features the same signature silhouette as the Midi: a central buckle flap secured by two side straps with magnetic-lock buttons, gold-plated hardware, and a detachable shoulder strap that takes it from top-handle to cross-body.
The closure mechanics are identical to the Midi, a two-handed close, an easy one-handed open, so the same pros and cons apply here, just on a slightly larger scale.
My favorite feature of the Maya Large is that the leather truly gets to shine at this size. The Caribou finish holds its structure beautifully even at this larger scale, without ever looking stiff or overly formal. This size feels like it was designed to let the leather and craftsmanship take center stage, which is exactly why I love it so much.
I also really appreciate that the bottom of their bags have feet. This is an important feature I always look for when purchasing a bag, especially at this price. If I’m paying over $1k for a bag, best believe I will not be letting it touch dirty surfaces!
Pros & Cons of the Maya Large
What I love:
- The Caribou leather is soft, scratch-resistant, and looks even more expensive than it is
- More room than the Midi without losing the structured silhouette
- Same secure, luxurious buckle-and-strap closure as the Midi
- Detachable strap makes it versatile for both handheld and cross-body wear
Worth knowing before you buy:
- Same two-handed closure as the Midi, not a grab-and-go bag
- The larger size means a bit more weight when fully loaded
Price & Value: Is Lalage Beaumont Worth It?
Lalage Beaumont bags sit in the $1,159–$1,400+ range across the Maya sizes, which places the brand solidly in accessible-investment territory. It’s more than a mid-range bag, but still meaningfully below the £5,000+ price tag of the bags it’s most often compared to.
For full-grain Italian calf leather, gold-plated hardware, and handcrafted construction out of Italy and Spain, I think Lalage Beaumont earns its price point.
What sold me most about this brand is that the quality holds up across both leather finishes I tried. The Orinoco croc and the Caribou leather each feel intentional, and both bags carry that same structured, ladylike elegance that makes them feel like true forever pieces.
If quiet luxury without obvious branding is your thing, my quiet luxury handbags guide covers similar territory, and Lalage Beaumont actually made that list. And if you’re building out a wardrobe of investment-worthy British bags, my British bag brands roundup has 14 more brands worth knowing.
Shop Lalage Beaumont
FAQs About Lalage Beaumont Bags
Where are Lalage Beaumont bags made? Lalage Beaumont bags are designed in London and handcrafted by artisans in Italy and Spain, using full-grain Italian calf leather.
What hardware does Lalage Beaumont use? All Lalage Beaumont bags feature gold-plated hardware, sourced from Italy.
What leathers does Lalage Beaumont use? The brand offers three signature finishes: Orinoco (a croc-effect print), Dolomite (a pebbled, scratch-resistant finish), and Caribou (a soft, deerskin-like texture).
Does the Maya bag come in multiple sizes? Yes. The Maya comes in five sizes: Mignon, Midi, East/West, Large, and Grande, so you can choose based on how much you need to carry.
What is Lalage Beaumont’s return policy?
Final Thoughts
Both the Maya Midi in Orinoco croc and the Maya Large in Caribou leather have completely won me over, and together they show just how versatile this one silhouette can be across sizes and finishes. From the structured, ladylike shape that keeps drawing Kelly comparisons, to the craftsmanship that genuinely holds up to that comparison, Lalage Beaumont bags earn their spot as a true investment brand.
If you’re debating between the two, here’s my honest take: go for the Midi style if you’re looking for a fun, going-out statement piece. Choose the Large or Grande size if this bag is going to be your everyday, quiet-luxury workhorse. Either way, you’re getting a bag built to last for years, not just a season.
I’d love to know which size and leather finish is calling your name, so leave me a comment below and let me know!
À bientôt! ♥
